Florence celebrates bicentenary of Collodi, author of Pinocchio

Florence is hosting a series of exhibitions and an international conference to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Carlo Lorenzini, known by his pseudonym Collodi, the author of Pinocchio.

Two integrated exhibitions are being held in collaboration with the Biblioteca Marucelliana and the Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze. The Marucelliana exhibition, titled ‘C’era una volta… un re? Collodi scrittore per l’infanzia’, explores his literary universe for children through unpublished documents and original illustrations by Enrico Mazzanti. Simultaneously, the National Central Library of Florence presents a biographical documentary exhibition focused on the multifaceted life of Lorenzini.

Additionally, an international conference titled ‘Favola e fiaba nell’Ottocento: il caso Collodi’ will take place on September 26 at Piazza al Serchio. Organized by Associazione La Giubba Aps, the event features scholars from various disciplines—including history, anthropology, and pedagogy—and aims to foster intercultural dialogue by examining how Pinocchio’s story has been interpreted in different linguistic and cultural contexts, including Portuguese and Spanish-speaking regions.